The total number of applications more than doubled since the first same-sex couples lined up to get their licenses, from about 3,100 in the previous year to 6,600 during the past 12 months, said Leah H. Gurowitz, spokeswoman for D.C. Superior Court, which issues the licenses. Although the court does not differentiate between same-sex and heterosexual couples in its record-keeping, in previous years the number of applications varied by only 100 or less. So virtually all the increase is due to same-sex couples, Gurowitz said.

WaPo interviewed two same sex married couples profiled last year on R20. One of the couples is Rocky Galloway (left) and Reggie Stanley—who were among the first couples applying for marriage licenses.

In the year since Rocky Galloway married his longtime love, Reginald Stanley, in the District, the rhythms of their lives haven't changed all that much. They still get up every morning, get their twin 2-year-old daughters prepared for their day, go to work and live their lives the way other happy, committed couples do.

What has changed, however, is knowing that their union is now legal, the same as marriages between men and women have always been, said Galloway, 50, of Chevy Chase, an account manager for an IT firm. "There is something about marriage. It's a distinct institution," he said. "If you say you are married, people get it. If you say you are in a civil union, they say, 'Okay, but what is that?' Being married gives your relationship a different level of validity."

He said they have faced no discrimination or criticism for getting married. "It's been interesting meeting people, like when we're with the kids, and they assume that you are in a heterosexual relationship and you correct them and say 'My partner is male.' They get right through it," he said. "That is to the credit of the advocacy groups and the people of D.C. and the fact that we are very transient and many, many cultures come to live in this area. We're more open and embracing than some."

The Post also interviewedCandy Holmes and wife Darlene Garner, who also applied for licenses on that first day. Holmes is a 33-year federal employee and is fighting to get medical benefits for her wife, which unfortunately is prevented by the Defense of Marriage Act. But that could change in the next few years ...

I was just waiting for someone to have to deal with the actual factual data and here it is. For those SEEKING to be in committed relationships and desiring the design of marriage--TO INSURE THAT YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY ARE PROTECTED BY LAW--this is a glorious day and a wonderful report.

See, people who want to be married get married.

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